Killed in Action. Soldier is thought to have been killed by a Japanese sniper whilst on patrol.

Place of Death:

Sungei Kranji-Sungei Jurong Defence Line

Date of Death:

10.02.1942

General Description

Sydney Darby is thought to have been killed by a Japanese sniper whilst on patrol.

Sydney Darby died aged 19 years. He joined the 2/4th Reinforcements, ‘E’ Company, Special Reserve Battalion and sailed to Singapore on ‘Aquitania’ in January 1942 with Mundijong mates Steve Gleeson, George Leipold and Bill Swann.

Syd’s father had served in the British Army in WW1 and been exposed to mustard gas. Because of his health he was advised to seek a warmer climate to live. With his wife and two young sons, the family sailed to Albany in 1924 on “Demosthenes” and firstly joined a Group Settlement and eventually moved to Holyoake near Dwellingup.

It is believed Syd worked in the Mundijong area and initially became friends with George Leipold and met the other mates.